Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Unemployment rates here in Mi just reached 15.2%.... I just wanted to thank all the vendors and individuals that have ordered shirts through us for all the support... Cost of business is so stupid here.. I really need to think about moving... hard to do with a home that is paid off... and no houses selling..... That, or with Mi min wage going up to 10 bucks an hr (Oh, yes... it's true!!! that should help unemployment!!).... Get a Job at Mc Donnalds.... Either way.. I need to be spending more time making my press spin... Sadly, that means less time posting here and other places... I'm stuck here for at least 2 more years or they will hijack my kids prices at UofM... (out of starters pays twice as much..) Let alone making some extra money for some much desired training with S.I. we need to ramp up production and speed to facilitate more work and get firmly in the black... Too much charity work has put a hurtin' on us..... We are also gearing up for a new urban teen outreach in Lansing... It position is voluntary..... but I don't do it for the money... anyhow.. I will be around...Just not as much.... at least for a while.... Again... Thank You for carrying me this far, Brothers and Sisters...! I am honored to know you and be a small part of all the good things going on here!!! More good stuff to come!!! Semper Fi Drew PS.. internet Trolls.. I am watching.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
22_Shooter 1,560 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Damn, I just clicked on the link in your sig and saw all the designs! I didn't know you offered so many different ones. <face palm> I'm loving that "Refuse - Resist" one, and the "Reduce Your Carbon Foot Print" one! Some questions: For a size reference, what size shirt are you wearing in the pic where you're holding the teabag? So I can figure out what size I'll need. Do the necks stay "tight" after a bunch of washes? Yet another OCD tendency I have; I can't wear t-shirts when the neck gets all loose and sloppy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrWho 10 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 un-employment is bad here in Ohio as well.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Damn, I just clicked on the link in your sig and saw all the designs! I didn't know you offered so many different ones. I'm loving that "Refuse - Resist" one, and the "Reduce Your Carbon Foot Print" one! Some questions: For a size reference, what size shirt are you wearing in the pic where you're holding the teabag? So I can figure out what size I'll need. Do the necks stay "tight" after a bunch of washes? Yet another OCD tendency I have; I can't wear t-shirts when the neck gets all loose and sloppy. I'm a double extra fat XXL... our "default" shirt is Gildan ultra Cotton... the nicest 6.1 oz shirt on the market IMO.... no pill, shrink ect.... Neck may relax a bit if you been sweating... but never sloppy..... only way to get nicer is via "beefy tee" but they cost me a couple bucks more ea... We are hopping to get caught up on shipping today... (INDY...... I'M SORRY, BRO!!! there on their way!!!) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paladin 37 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Hang in their Juggernaut! I just had to reinvent my biz too. Which included moving to a lower cost building in a less desirable part of town. Don't be afraid to explore other avenues of business, these days you need to be very creative and flexible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SovietGinger 16 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Hang in their Juggernaut! I just had to reinvent my biz too. Which included moving to a lower cost building in a less desirable part of town. Don't be afraid to explore other avenues of business, these days you need to be very creative and flexible. I love the eagle right wing extremist shirt I ordered from you. You should think about advertising your shirts on other pro-gun/pro-freedom forums. Maybe give AR15.com a shot for a larger consumer base. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Hang in their Juggernaut! I just had to reinvent my biz too. Which included moving to a lower cost building in a less desirable part of town. Don't be afraid to explore other avenues of business, these days you need to be very creative and flexible. I love the eagle right wing extremist shirt I ordered from you. You should think about advertising your shirts on other pro-gun/pro-freedom forums. Maybe give AR15.com a shot for a larger consumer base. Thanks, Bro!!! Arfcom don't like my I.P. for some odd reason..... Exciting things coming.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,186 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I can VOUCH 110% for the QUALITY of Jugg's work... These shirts are TOP OF THE LINE!!! They DO NOT SHRINK, STRETCH, or get funky... The printing lasts for YEARS!!! and looks as good as the day it was new, none of that peeling, or splitting like the cheapo ones you can buy... ASK ME HOW I KNOW THIS... I am a BIG GUY... I wear a 4X!!! And Drew is my premier clothing supplier. I get 95% of my shirts from him (I wear T shirts all the time if I am not needing a dress shirt) and I wear them EVERY DAY... They hold up to extensive wear and washings and still look GREAT!! Hell, I am wearing one of his RIGHT THIS moment... and those of you that show up on the 15th will see me in one THEN too!! I cannot STRESS ENOUGH for the minimal cost of his product you will be EXTREMELY happy with the quality you receive!!! These are *NOT* the 5 dollar t shirts you get at walmart... These are THICK cotton, Rugged, shirts that will LAST a LONG TIME!! Drew... no problem on the wait... always worth it!! :up: ( Just so long as I have my new shirts to wear on the 15th!! ) Buy these shirts, boys... for a "Jackson", you WILL NOT be dissapointed!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobAsh 582 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I've got quite a few of Juggs shirts; they're as high quality as anything I've had. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Thanks Guys..... any pointers on streamlining production...(short of hiring anyone... the money just ain't there) I'm all ears.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bean.223 365 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Heck Juggs, move a lil south and become a Hoosier!!! It's still 90% small business friendly. And not a far drive And if you stay north of South Bend you wont even miss those Michigan winters!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Heck Juggs, move a lil south and become a Hoosier!!! It's still 90% small business friendly. And not a far drive And if you stay north of South Bend you wont even miss those Michigan winters!! Once my house sells... that won't happen any time soon.... Plus the kid want's to finish at UofM..... They ASS RAPE YOU if you are form out of state on tuition.... Otherwise... I'm looking int free states..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Reverendfranz 160 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Hey Juggs, I dont know how your shop is set up now, but in my experience organization is the key to throughput, the more time you spend looking for or grabbing things, the less time you are printing. a Multiple stage table rotating table with a stationary seat helps for big runs as well. Also keep in mind that there are many different processes for printing, and just because you can do a given design with the process you use, doesnt always mean it is the best one for the job. dont be afraid to look into outsourcing some shirts, at least partially, to outside local shops that have different capabilities than you do, they will appreciate the business, and in some cases it can save you quite a bit of time, and money. Shops that do vinyl cutting, (if you dont) are an excellent example, as they will often sell you unweeded cut transfer sheets very inexpensively, and you can press them yourself, without any of the screen time. Its all about the best tool for the job, and not spinning your wheels to make the square peg fit. (also, not to turn down any jobs that you cant currently do, when the next job that company has might be perfect for you) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 No transfers here... I do all art and vinyl in house.. I run a Vastex HD 88 Load and offload from the right hand side.... Where I get hung up... is I'm waring all the hats.... Artwork, Color Seps, screens, laser positive output, Screen Prep Set up and pressman... Lorie runs the books. I also do all the vector art for cad as well as the weeding and tapping, masking and applying... Where I need to streamline is not so much actual press run time... it's the prep and and tear down time that is killing me... The multi color jobs (6-8 color) can take a while to set up w/ new art, screens and so on...... Friggin' trading water.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Donkismash 81 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 your welcome in Texas.....Houston is where I live....its a shit hole but there is always work Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paladin 37 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 No transfers here...I do all art and vinyl in house.. I run a Vastex HD 88 Load and offload from the right hand side.... Where I get hung up... is I'm waring all the hats.... Artwork, Color Seps, screens, laser positive output, Screen Prep Set up and pressman... Lorie runs the books. I also do all the vector art for cad as well as the weeding and tapping, masking and applying... Where I need to streamline is not so much actual press run time... it's the prep and and tear down time that is killing me... The multi color jobs (6-8 color) can take a while to set up w/ new art, screens and so on...... Friggin' trading water.... I have no idea of the steps involved in your biz. But in mine I looked at the more complicated products I was producing and realized that I was putting alot of time into producing things that were not only labor intensive, but raw material expensive. I looked at the the commonality of raw ingredients and I eliminated some of the products that I made. I was buying cases of ingredients that ran $200 a case but I only used for in the production of one product that was not in the top 10 sellers. It was not a popular decision with some customers, but I eliminated some offerings that freed up production time, inventory dollars, and allowed me to spend more time producing the top sellers. I also set a higher minimum order, and focus on wholesale as opposed to retail. Just some of the things I did. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
elvis christ 451 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 Wow, man. I didn't realize you had so many designs. I might have to pick up a couple when I get paid. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted July 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 I also set a higher minimum order, and focus on wholesale as opposed to retail. Just some of the things I did. Retail is brand new to us.... been primarily wholesale all along.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bean.223 365 Posted July 27, 2009 Report Share Posted July 27, 2009 your welcome in Texas.....Houston is where I live....its a shit hole but there is always work LOL theres no snow in Texas, he wouldn't be happy!!! Check his vids, the man lives in a igloo in the winter time JUST to ambush targets with his Saiga! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,186 Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 Like I have mentioned in the past, Drew... EBAY... GUNBROKER... and then also try hitting up the MAJOR distributors... Graf and Sons, Midway USA, Natchez, and any other firearm related outfit... send out a couple FREE samples to the VIP's... maybe they will carry your product line... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sonnydazegunsmithing 42 Posted July 28, 2009 Report Share Posted July 28, 2009 your welcome in Texas.....Houston is where I live....its a shit hole but there is always work we have closed all borders no my illegals (this includes yankees ) allowed in Quote Link to post Share on other sites
uzitiger 193 Posted August 1, 2009 Report Share Posted August 1, 2009 I lived in Michigan and saw how that socialist Canadian born Jennifer Granholm came in and wanted to increase regulations and taxes on businesses. (Michigan taxes were high enough as it was). She is trying to kill job opportunities there. I'm glad I moved south to Ohio where I don't have to register my handguns with the police (thanks to the KKK) every time I buy or sell one. This asinine law also applies to rifles and shotguns with a folding stock under 30" in length. Ohio also has an asshat DemocRAT governor. Lately even the last republican governors acted like DemocRATs and raised taxes. The state lost two auto plants; Honda and Subaru to Indiana who also got a Nestle plant there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Photoguy 202 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Ooooooh... me like! Is it too late to order some? BTW: Is there any room for suggestions? Mine would be a shirt that says "Saiga 12 - What's in your closet?" Or something like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulyski 2,227 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 Unemployment rates here in Mi just reached 15.2%.... I just wanted to thank all the vendors and individuals that have ordered shirts through us for all the support... Cost of business is so stupid here.. I really need to think about moving... hard to do with a home that is paid off... and no houses selling..... That, or with Mi min wage going up to 10 bucks an hr (Oh, yes... it's true!!! that should help unemployment!!).... Get a Job at Mc Donnalds.... Either way.. I need to be spending more time making my press spin... Sadly, that means less time posting here and other places... I'm stuck here for at least 2 more years or they will hijack my kids prices at UofM... (out of starters pays twice as much..) Let alone making some extra money for some much desired training with S.I. we need to ramp up production and speed to facilitate more work and get firmly in the black... Too much charity work has put a hurtin' on us..... We are also gearing up for a new urban teen outreach in Lansing... It position is voluntary..... but I don't do it for the money... anyhow.. I will be around...Just not as much.... at least for a while.... Again... Thank You for carrying me this far, Brothers and Sisters...! I am honored to know you and be a small part of all the good things going on here!!! More good stuff to come!!! Semper Fi Drew PS.. internet Trolls.. I am watching.... Juggs, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, I spent a couple years running a S.I.A.S. large format Italian inline 4 color screen press. The industry is getting hit HARD by the depression & production going overseas. That's why I left printing altogether. Most shops around here are down to skeleton crews & have had to lay off some great Pressmen, many of my friends are suffering through this as we speak. May I suggest (I know it's distasteful) capitalizing on current events at flea markets or even street corners with small runs immediately after high profile events take place while people are emotional & feel they want to do ANYTHING small to make a statement on the issue? Just until we rebound? Keep your chin up. At any rate THANK YOU everyone who makes products or sells products made here in the states. YOU, not our government or large corporations, are the only way we will eventually recover from this mess. Good Luck. (Proud Journeyman member of the Graphic Communications International Union. G.C.I.U.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
squeak003 0 Posted August 5, 2009 Report Share Posted August 5, 2009 (edited) im in mich. too........and what sucks even worse for me is that i work with private aircraft and cargo aircraft, both of which have gone down hill to the point that i used to see an avg. of 15 aircraft a day and now im down to 15 a week.....the g/f goes to u of m too so im stuck here until she is done too... Edited August 5, 2009 by squeak003 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YARP 300 Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 Juggs I used to help my friend on the side with her screen printing/embroidery business, I helped her increase her business by almost 200% in 1 year. No I'm not BSing you. PM me when you get a second..... I also live in MI, yes we all hate Granholm and still don't understand how she gets re-elected. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Juggernaut 11,054 Posted August 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 what is killing me is set up and tear down times.... and small interruptions from phone calls to walk ins.... If I could focus on production more vs chasing details... I'd be doing well... I got plenty of work.... I need to improve my turn around/streamline production.... The gun shows have done pretty good for us... I think I could fall into the traveling gun show lifestyle all too easy with the kid in college.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulyski 2,227 Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 (edited) what is killing me is set up and tear down times....and small interruptions from phone calls to walk ins.... If I could focus on production more vs chasing details... I'd be doing well... I got plenty of work.... I need to improve my turn around/streamline production.... Where I get hung up... is I'm waring all the hats.... Artwork, Color Seps, screens, laser positive output, Screen Prep Set up and pressman... The gun shows have done pretty good for us... I think I could fall into the traveling gun show lifestyle all too easy with the kid in college.... Do you save your screens? I noticed your frames. If you are producing your art work printing the same stuff oner & over, getting a screen stretcher & welding a bunch of cheap frames up, so that you don't have to keep processing the same screens over would be a start. Other than that heiring a young person part time to apprentice & to do the tedious handwork is all I can think of short of automation. You stated that you can't afford to hire anyone but when you must spend time preparing your substrate & cleaning screens, a very unskilled task, you could be doing more of the stuff that requires more skill hence more production/profit. Of course you must be prepared to let the guy go if business slows. Just hire young & part time like McDonald's... Except you would be teaching a guy a trade. Any machine that makes your job easier or more efficient is a force multiplier. Edited August 25, 2009 by Paulyski Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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